Arnold & Porter’s Antitrust Capabilities Twice Win ‘Merger Control Matter of the Year’ at Global Competition Review’s GCR Awards 2021
Arnold & Porter’s comprehensive antitrust capabilities were twice recognized by Global Competition Review’s 2021 GCR Awards, which celebrate the “most impressive merger control, behavioral and litigation matters” completed worldwide in the past year. The firm’s work won “Merger Control Matter of the Year” in both the Americas and Europe jurisdictions.
Global Competition Review highlighted AbbVie’s $63 billion acquisition of Allergan as “one of the largest pharmaceutical deals of 2020” and named it the winner of "Merger Control Matter of the Year" in the Americas category. Global Antitrust practice head Debbie Feinstein, partner Axel Gutermuth and counsels Barbara Wootton and Charlotte Simphal advised AbbVie on the “complex merger with multiple overlaps” that required “finesse and good lawyering” to complete, according to the publication.
“Our priority was anticipating the range of theories of competitive harm that the FTC explored and addressing each potential theory of harm with persuasive evidence,” Feinstein noted in a Q&A with Global Competition Review. “We also worked closely with our clients to be prepared for any potential divestiture requirements, which enabled us to address questions from FTC staff during the extensive vetting process for both divestiture transactions as quickly and efficiently as possible.”
Global Competition Review also commended the firm for its work representing Fitbit Inc. on its $2.1 billion sale to Google, and the transaction was named "Merger Control Matter of the Year" in the Europe category. Partners Debbie Feinstein, Axel Gutermuth and Pete Levitas and counsel Charlotte Simphal advised on the matter that "grabbed headlines internationally” and had significant ramifications for future “data-heavy transactions.”
In a Q&A with the publication, Gutermuth explained that “it is always professionally rewarding to work on a case that gets a lot of attention because it involves novel substantive questions and novel types of remedies.” Global Competition Review highlighted Arnold & Porter’s exceptional work in obtaining conditional approval from the European Commission for a deal under public and regulatory scrutiny.
Global Competition Review shortlisted the firm’s antitrust work six times this year. The shortlist was announced shortly after Global Competition Review released its annual "GCR 100" guide, which listed Arnold & Porter among the world's leading competition law and economics practitioners for the 14th consecutive year. The guide again ranked Arnold & Porter as a "Global Elite" firm for its litigation and merger work.